Millman Delivers Substitute Victory For Aussies

Good luck flushing John Millman’s debut ATP Cup win from his memory anytime soon.

The Aussie veteran came to his hometown of Brisbane as his country’s No. 3 singles player and was ready to play a supporting role all week at the inaugural 24-team tournament being played in Brisbane, Perth and Sydney.

But Nick Kyrgios (back pain) pulled out just before his Sunday morning singles match against Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime. Millman, however, more than filled in, beating the 20-year-old #NextGenATP star 6-4, 6-2 to put Australia one match away from doing their part to qualify for the Final Eight in Sydney.

Millman fell behind 1-3, but the veteran settled into his home Pat Rafter Arena, testing Auger-Aliassime with long rallies in steamy conditions. The Canadian finished with 42 unforced errors to 23 winners, and Millman won 11 of the final 14 games.

Australia qualifies for the Final Eight as the Group F winner if Australia defeats Canada and Germany defeats Greece on Sunday evening.